Critical Issues in Plant Health : 50 Years of Research in African Agriculture

Plant health covers topics such as the safe handling and movement of germplasm and seed, as well as the range of biotic threats faced by crops and the ways they can be managed to optimise yields and ensure safety and quality in crop production. These threats include viral, bacterial and fungal diseases as well as the impact of insect pests and weeds. This collection summarises 50 years of research on plant health by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to improve the health of crops in Africa.

The first part of the book reviews general issues such as pest and disease surveillance and the range of viruses affecting key African crops. Part 2 summarises key research on improving the health of major crops such as cassava, maize, yams and cocoyams, bananas and plantains, legumes, vegetables and tree fruits. The final part of the book discusses ways of improving integrated pest management of insect pests, diseases and weeds in sub-Saharan Africa.

This unique book brings together some of the world's leading experts on plant health in sub-Saharan Africa to review progress in dealing with the range of biotic threats faced by African farmers, and will be a standard reference on improving the management of pests and diseases in developing countries.

Dr Peter Neuenschwander is an Emeritus Scientist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), based in Benin. Formerly Director of the IITA's Plant Health Management Division, he has worked on integrated pest management (IPM) projects in over 25 countries.

Dr Manuele Tamò is an insect ecologist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Benin, with a particular focus on IPM in cereal-legume systems. He has worked with organisation such as AVRDC, ICRISAT and AfriceRice on IPM projects in many countries.

Djana Mignouna is an Agricultural Economist in charge of M&E of YIIFSWA Project for IITA. Djana supports market development for various crops and led research on technology adoption, consumer acceptance and impact assessment. He has led the development and implementation of over 10 household and sector level surveys in Africa. He has 11+ years of experience working in international development, private sector and economics research.